marean



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet f1.

J. T. MAREAN. l TOY AND MOTOR- FOR TOYS AND LIGHT MACHINERY. N0. 375,557. y Patented 1390.27, 1887.

W/T/VESSES; /NVE/VTOH ATTORNEYS (NofModel.) 3 Sheets-.Sheet 2.

J. T. MAREAN. y TOY AND MOTOR POR TOYS' AND LIGHT MACHINERY. No. 375,557. `Pafentexl Deo. 27. 1887.

W/TNESSES.' NVENTOI? A TTOH/VEYS (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

J. T` MAREAN.

TOY AND MOTOR TOR TOYS AND .LIGHT MACHINERY. No. 375,557. Patented Dec. 27', 1887.

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UNITED STATES .PATENT Ormea.

JOSIAH T. MAREAN, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

TOY AND MOTOR FOR TOYS AND LIGHT MACHINERY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 375,557, dated December 27, 1887.

Application filed March 8, 1887. Serial No. 230,145. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josine T. MAREAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at .Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Toys and Motors for Toys and other Light Machinery, of which the following is a specication.

The end and purpose of my invention is in one aspect the production of a toy which amuses by its mere motion; ina second aspect the production of a toy which amuses bythe carrying in a circle of any small object; in a third aspect the production by gravity of circular motion with force capable of being util ized for driving toys or light machinery where circular motion is desired, thus affording a cheap substitute for the expensive clock-work; in a fourth aspect the production of a toy imitating a race.

In its first aspect, above referred to, it consists of a helix or wire or other suitable substance of anylength desired,which, to procure the best effects, should have a core of about one-eighth to th reesixteenths of an inch in diameter, and should have about two complete turns to the linear inch of its core, and may be held inthe hand. y Though not essential, the wire or other substance of the helix may be continued at either end in a straight line for a couple of inches parallel with the core, and, second, of an appliance, which I call a carriage/7 consisting of ashort piece of wire i 1 or other suitable substance, which I call a re` tainer7 fitting loosely the core of the helix,and

' riage has no considerable weight at much distance from the retainer. The portion of the arm or arms of the carriage which extend beyond the helix may be of any extent, design, shape, or color desired, and the amusing effect of the toy may be varied by varying such extent, design, shape, and color. A

The operation of the toy is as follows: Hold the helix in a vertical position and set the carriage upon it at the top, the retainer project- .ing downward into the core, the arm or arms resting across the upper surface of the inclined curve, and let it go, and it will by force of gravity slide down the helix, revolving as it goes the retainer holding it to the core of the helix, through which it (the retainer) travels. If the arm or arms extend to any considerable distance from the retainer, it will go down with a long slow motion, if not in a rapid whirl. The tendency to accelerated motion can, if desired, be counteracted by diminishing slightly the pitch of the helix toward the bottom.

Figure l in the accompanying drawings illustrates the invention in this aspect, the arms being two in number, extending straight at right angles from the retainer and ending in an ornamental ball. retainer, and C C the arms, of the carriage. Figs..2, 3, and 4 illustrate the carriage with one arm and show some of the various forms which the arm may be given in the parts projecting outside of the helix.

In its second aspect, above mentioned, it consists, first, of a helix, as above described, the Wire or other substance of the helix being continued at the lower end in a straight line parallel to the core of the helix, the continuation being fastened at the end and at right angles to a heavy bed-plate suitable to be set upon a table; second, of a carriage, as above described, consisting of a retainer and one or more arms; third, of a receptacle for a childs doll, or of any other small object desired, fastened to or suspended from one of the arms. An adjustable connterbalance-weight .may `be added to an arm opposite that to which the object used is fastened orsuspended, in order to adjust the center of gravity-of the whole in or near the retainer. The operation of it is as above described.

Fig. 5 in the accompanying drawings illustrates the invention in this aspect, the arms there being two in number, extending at right angles from the retainer. Upon onearm is shown suspended a receptacle for a childs doll and upon the other is shown an adjustable counterbalancing-weight. A is the helix, Bis lthe retainer, and C G the arm, of the carriage. D is the straight continuation of the helix,and

A is the helix, B the E is the bed-plate. I is the receptacle for a ehilds doll. J is the eounterbalancing-weight.

In its third aspect, above mentioned, it consists, iirst, of a helix, as above described, arranged vertically, and either made rigidly fast at one or both ends to some suitable frame or support, or so arranged as to be held by such frame or support in a vertical position and to turn freely upon its axis; and, second, of a carriage, as above described, consisting of a retainer and of one or more arms projecting from it of considerable length and weight.

The operation of it is as follows: Set the carriage upon the helix in theY manner above described and let it go, when it will by gravity slide down the helix, revolving as it goes if the helix be made fast, or if the helix be so arranged as to turn, (in which case a suitable stop to the revolution of the carriage must be added,) causing the helix itself to revolve, thus producing in either case a circular motion with force, capable of being applied and utilized for driving toys or light machinery where circular motion is desired. If the helix, in stead of the carriage,be let to revolve, its motion may be given steadiness and persistency by attaching to it weights in such wise that they will as it revolves describe a circle of considerable diameter in their revolution.

Figs. 6 and 7 in the accompanying drawings illustrate theinvention in its third aspect, the carriage being there furnished with two arms. In Fig. 6 the helix is fixed and the carriage left to revolve. In Fig. 7 the helix is left to revolve and a stop to the revolution of the carriage is shown. A is the helix, fastened rigidly in Fig. 6 at the points a a to the frame or support E, and in Fig. 7held at those points to permit it to turn freely. Bis the retainer, and C C the arms of the carriage. F represents the 1notionrcceiving part of the toy or light machinery to be driven, illustrating one stop to the revolution of the carriage.

across the center of the box.

method of utilizing and applying the motion and force produced. G in Fig. 7 represents a II H in Fig. 7 represent weights attached to the helix-wire at the point It, intended to give steadiness toits motion.

In its fourth aspect, above mentioned, it consists as follows: of a containing-box conveniently made of tin or zine, square and flat on top, and, to get the best effect, at least sixteen inches square and about two inches high, with no bottom except a cross-piece extending In the center of the top is left open a circle about two inches in diameter and an annular track about an inch wide and distant about one-half of an inch from the middle of each side. The disk inside such track is supported by four arches of wire or other material, made fast, one at each corner ofthe box and extending over the track and again made fast to the disk. Each arch is made square at the top about three inches high above the box and about two inches across.

It consists, further, of a vertical post, conveniently of heavy wire, rigidly fastened to the cross-piece at the center of the box, extending upward into the hole in the center of the top of the box to about the level of the top. Into the end of this is rigidly set a smaller wire or other suitable substance, extending for about one and one-half inch vertically upward, from which point it is wound upward in the shape of ahelix with a vertical open core, as above described, of about oneeighth to three-sixteenths of an inch in diameter. From the upper end of the helix which terminates in the line of the straight part of the wire at the bottom the wire is continued vertically upon the same line for one and onehalf or two inches, where it may be supported by a support fastened to the sides of the box and extending up and across tothe end of the wire.

It consists, further, of a carriage, as above described, made up of a retainer and of one or more arms of considerable length and weight, as above described.

It consists, further, of racing figures, which may be horses carrying riders, or any other ligures desired, each attached to a carrying arm,of wire or other material, conveniently shaped, placed and supported as follows:

The end to which the figure is attached stands vertically in the opeu track in the top of the box, so as to bring the ligurejust above the top. At a convenient distance below itis bent at a right angle and carried to the eentral post and wound around it in a looseloop, where it is supported uponit by a washer and pin through the post, from whence it passes beyond the post a short distance and is bent vertically upward and carried in a general direction parallel with the core of the helix to a point opposite the upper straightportion of the helix-wire, where it is again bent at a right angle toward and looped loosely around the upper straight part of the helix-wire. The portion opposite the helix is either straight or bent into corrugations across the plane of the first two above-described lines of the carrying-arm. Each carrying-arm is silnilarly shaped, placed, and supported in the same general plane as the tirst, the dimensions being so far different that each successive arm being supported above or below the previous one falls inside or outside of it and parallel to it throughout, and so that each swings without touching any other over nearly a complete circle, and so that the figureswhen the carryingarms are thus set, stand side by sidein the open track, and may pass each other without interference when the arms are in motion. As many figures as are desired are thus added to the toy. rIhe corrugations, if they are used in the arms, are so arranged as to fall at different heights in the several arms. Vithout using the corrugations aracc is still well imitated. rIhe corrugations serve only to exaggerate the diversity of motion in the racing gures and carrying-arms.

The operation of the invention in theaspect IOO IZO

just described is as follows: The box sets upon a table or other level surface and the carriage is placed upon the helix at the top, the retainer projecting into the open core, the arm or armsresting across the inclined curve of the helix, and one arm standing across that portion ofthe carrying-arms which runs along the helix. Being let go, the carriage held to the core of the helix by the retainer by force of gravity slides down the incline of the helix, 4 revolving upon its retainer, which follows the open core, an arm of the carriage driving before it in a free motion the carrying-arms,

which are thus made to rotate around the cen-- tral post, and by means of the corrugations, and to some extent in their absence by means of such free motion, thrusting first one and then another ahead, and causing the racingfigures to move in unison with the carrying-A and carrying-arms, when the gures continue to swing by force of the momentum acquired until they finally come to rest.

This machine wellillustrates an application of the invention in its third aspect, above referred to.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 8 represents the containing-box and the support for the top of the helixwire; also ,the figures, carrying-arms, helix, and carriage. Fig. 9 represents the cross-piece with the vertical post, the helix with its continuations, the carriage placed upon it, and the figures and the carrying-arms.

In Fig. 8 N represents the top of the box; O, the arches; P, the open track; R, the hole in the center of the top; l and 2, the supports for the upper end of the helix-wire, which meets it at the point a.

In Figs. 8 and 9 A is the helix, B the retainer, and C C the arms, of the carriage. E is the cross-picce,'which extends across the bottom of the box. p L L are the arms carrying the figures, and M M are the racing-figa is the point ofthe helix-wire at which it is supported by the support shown in Fig. 8. S S represent astop and support for aiding the carriage to come to rest out of the line of travel of the figures and carrying-arms;

I am aware that it is not new to make a toy consisting'of a spirally-twisted wire or piece of metal forming a passage-way or path for a similar piece to travel upon by force ofgravity,

' as shown in the Campbell Patent No. 320,429,

and I disclaimI everything shown in said patent.

Having thus described myinventiomwhat I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A motor for driving toys, consisting of a rest across the upper surface of the inclined curve of the helix, and the whole carriage will be free to travel from top to the bottom of the said helix by force of gravity, the retainer following the open core of the helix, while either the arms of the carriage or the helix itself revolve, as hereinbefore set forth.

2. A toy imitating a race and consisting of the following elements: first, a centrally-located and vertically-arranged helix having an open core; second, a carriage constructed to travel by force of gravity upon the said helix, and consisting of a retainer fitting loosely the core of the helix and having one or more arms projecting from and fastened to, or formed by a bent continuation of, the retainer in such wisel that, the retainer being inserted into the core of the helix at the top, the arm or arms will rest across the upper surface of the inclined curve of the helix, and one at least of said arms will project horizontally outside of and beyond the helix and the whole carriagev will be free to travel down the helix by force ofgravity,revolving aroundits retainer; third, two or more racing-gures so located as to swing in parallel and horizontal circles and to pass each other without interference, each figure being suitably mounted upon an independent arm pivoted in or near the center line continued of the core of the helix, a portionl of which arm extends along the outside of the helix at a little distance therefrom and across the horizontally-proj ecting arm of the carriage, so that when the carriage descends, revolving about its retainer, its horizontally-projecting arm bears against and travels down along that `portion of the figure-carrying arms extending along the helix anddrives such carryingarms 'before it and causes the gures to Swingin Iprojecting from and fastened to, or formed by abent continuation of, the retainer in such. wise that, the retainer being inserted into the core of the`helix at the top, thearm or arms will rest across the` upper `surface of the inclined curve of the helix,A and one at least of Vsaid arms will project horizontally outside of and beyond the helix, and the whole carriage will be free to travel down the helix by force IOO IIC)

of gravity,revolving around its retainer; third, two or more racing-figures so located as to swing in parallel and horizontal circles and to pass each other without interference, each figure being suitably mounted upon an independent arm pivoted in or near the center line continued of the core of the helix, a portion of which arm extends along the outside of the helix at a little distance therefrom and across the horizontally-projeeting arrn of the carriage, so that when the carriage descends, revolving about its retainer, its horizontallyprojecting,` arnibears against and travels down along` that portion of the gure-carrying arms extending along the helix and drives such carrying-arms before it and causes the figures to swing in imitation ofa race, the iigure-carrying arms or one or more of them having at the line of their or its Contact with the arm of the carriage one or more projections or recessions, or both, from a straight line toward or away from the arm of the carriage, so that as the arm of the carriage in its revolving descent meets such a projection or recession in any figure-carrying arni its gnre is thrust ahead or allowed to drop behind the others. JOSIAH T. MAREAN. lVitnesses: GEORGE S. BILLrNGs, FRANK A. BAKER. 

